Bible Commentaries
Deuteronomy 7

Verse 1

the LORD thy God = Jehovah thy Elohim.

nations . Ten altogether are mentioned by name, here seven only. Other lists name six. Girgashites generally omitted. In the days of Ezra (Deuteronomy 9:1 ) five were still in the land. In the Tel-el-Amarna Tablets eight are named.

Verse 2

destroy them = devote them to destruction. Hebrew. haram. Compare Exodus 23:24 ; Exodus 34:12-17 , and see note on Deuteronomy 7:16 .

Verse 4

Me. The very words of Jehovah introduced.

they. Some codices, with Samaritan Pentateuch, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "he".

destroy = cut off. Hebrew. shamad.

Verse 5

But = But rather, or, Verily.

destroy = break down. Hebrew. nathaz.

break down = break into fragments. Hebrew. shabab.

burn = burn up.

graven images = sculptures.

Verse 6

holy. See note on Exodus 3:5 .

chosen. This is the word emphasized by the Hebrew accent ( pas e h) , "thee hath Jehovah chosen". This is the basis of all else that is here stated.

special = peculiar. See note on Exodus 19:6 , or "His people as a treasure". Compare Deuteronomy 26:18 . 1 Peter 2:9 .

people. Hebrew Peoples.

earth = ground.

Verse 7

love = affection. Hebrew. hashak, a love which joins one to what is loved = to set one's love upon.

Verse 8

loved. Hebrew. 'ahab, love in its highest sense, love that delights in its object.

bondmen. Compare Deuteronomy 5:6 , and Exodus 20:2 .

Verse 9

GOD = ' El , the great and mighty God. See App-4 .

mercy = lovingkindness, or grace.

commandments. Hebrew text written singular, but read plural.

Verse 10

destroy = cause them to perish. Hebrew. 'abad.

He. Some codices with one early printed edition, The Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel Targum of Onkelos, Septuagint, and Vulgate, read "and He",

Verse 11

and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton ( App-6 ).

statutes, and the judgments. See note on Deuteronomy 4:1 .

this day. See note on Deuteronomy 4:26 .

Verse 13

wine. Hebrew. tirosh. See App-27 .

increase. Hebrew. sheger, only here, Deuteronomy 28:4 , Deuteronomy 28:18 , Deuteronomy 28:51 , and Exodus 13:12 ("cometh of ") in the sense of multiplying by generation.

flocks. Only here, and Deuteronomy 28:4 , Deuteronomy 28:18 , Deuteronomy 28:51 . These three words are peculiar to Deut.

Verse 14

barren. Compare Exodus 23:26 .

Verse 15

diseases. Some codices, with one early printed edition, Sept and Vulgate, read "disease". Compare Ex. Deuteronomy 23:22 , Deuteronomy 23:25 .

Verse 16

shalt consume. This command never fully obeyed. Compare Ezra 9:1 , and see Exodus 23:24 , Exodus 23:32 ; Exodus 34:12-17 .

Verse 17

how . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis ( App-6 ).

Verse 19

temptations = trials, as manifested in Jehovah's wonderful works.

Verse 20

hornet = a fierce kind of wasp. May be taken literally or by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), for the terror caused by it. Compare Exodus 23:27 , and Deuteronomy 2:25 . Or, by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), for Egypt; the hornet being the royal symbol. Occurs three times. Exodus 23:28 and Deuteronomy 7:20 , prophecy, and once fulfilment, Joshua 24:12 .

Verse 21

mighty = great.

terrible = to be feared.

Verse 22

before thee. Hebrew "before thy face".

little by little: referring to all the nations of Canaan. (Exodus 23:29 , Exodus 23:30 ). Compare Deuteronomy 9:3 , "quickly", which refers to Israel and the "sons of Anak" (Deuteronomy 9:2 ).

Verse 23

destroy = discomfit. Hebrew. hum, to put in consternation.

destruction = discomfiture.

destroyed = exterminated. Hebrew. shamad. Compare Deuteronomy 7:26 .

Verse 24

man. Hebrew. 'ish. See App-14 .

Verse 25

burn = burn up. See App-43 .

Verse 26

a cursed thing. Hebrew a thing devoted to destruction; Compare Deuteronomy 13:17 . Joshua 6:18 . Isaiah 34:5 ; Isaiah 43:28 Malachi 4:6 . Hebrew. herem, Compare other words in verses: Deuteronomy 7:23 , Deuteronomy 7:24 .